Question

What part of the paramecium functions as the food entry?

Answer 1

The cytostome.

Explanation:

A paramecium is a small one celled organism that feeds on microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts and single-celled algae. Paramecia have a furrow in the cell lining that is called the oral groove.

Cilia (small moving hair-like structures) in the oral groove sweep food into the cytostome which translates to 'cell mouth' (cyto = cell, stome = mouth). There the food is taken in by phagocytosis, meaning the food is enclosed in a vacuole that travels through the cell.

The video below shows several paramecium feeding.

Hope this helps.